Metascore®Generally favorable reviewsbased on a weighted average of allcritic review scores.

100

out of 100

Chicago Sun-Times

Even when Disconnect follows the path we expect it to follow, it does so in a way that keeps us intensely engaged. There wasn't a moment during this movie when I thought about anything other than this movie.

Even when Disconnect follows the path we expect it to follow, it does so in a way that keeps us intensely engaged. There wasn't a moment during this movie when I thought about anything other than this movie.

The structure is sheer contrivance — three narratives intricately interlocked — while the plot amounts to a convenience store of variably credible, or borderline incredible, strands. Yet the film is impressive all the same.

Parents need to know that Disconnect is a sobering and compelling drama that shows both adults and teens trying to find a way to express themselves -- and connect with each other -- online. Sometimes, it's for fun, but often, it's because they're lonely and sad and are looking for support. And other times, it's to hurt, bully, or belittle others, which can have very serious consequences. The Internet is also presented as a vehicle for exploiting young people, who may be trading their bodies for money. Expect scenes in which teens are baring body parts, either via webcam or pictures, and online sex workers are shown bare-breasted. There's also some frank talk about sexual acts, a confrontation with a gun, images of a suicide victim, and some drinking, pot smoking (an adult smokes with a teen), and swearing ("bitch," "s--t," "f--k," and more).

Families can talk about the role that the Internet plays both in Disconnect and in their lives. Is it mostly positive or negative? Or both?

Talk to your kids about smart online behavior and safety. How can bullying (both online and off) be prevented?

Does the film address the main concerns about the Internet in a realistic and approachable manner? Does it also depict the benefits/upside of the media?

The good stuff

Messages: The movie is intense and sometimes bleak (with some bullying), but in the end, it shows how adults are struggling to understand and help teens who are disaffected and disenchanted and attempting to make connections online -- and those who may be looking for a way to communicate their feelings by way of the Web, too.

Role models: Characters are flawed but have good intentions, including a father who wants to make sense of his son's deep sadness, an ex-cop who wants to help a couple, a husband seeking justice, a wife searching for support after a tragedy, and many more. Know, though, that there are bullies in the film, too, and though they may see the error of their ways at some point, they're pretty cruel.

What to watch for

Violence: A man vows to seek revenge after his and his wife's identities are stolen, which leads to a confrontation with a gun; two boys mess with a classmate online and make fun of him; a character is found hanging from the ceiling; two men start beating each other up in the wake of a tragedy.

Sex: Teens send racy pictures of each other via text and email; in one, an underwear-clad woman's lower torso is shown. A scene shows online sex workers talking to their clients while wearing very little clothing (bare breasts are visible); an adult flirts with a teenager.

Language: Frequent use of everything from "f--k" and "s--t" to "damn," "ass," and "bitch," used both by kids and adults.

Consumerism: Plenty of labels/logos are seen and shown, including Apple, Dell, iPad, Facebook, Sony, Adidas, MasterCard, and more.

Drinking, drugs and smoking: Some scenes show adults drinking; an adult smokes pot with a teenager.

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